Audi car stolen in Tadley

Burglars snatch car keys and take car from drive in letter box type theft

AN AUDI car has been stolen from a Tadley driveway after burglars are thought to have put an implement through the letter box, to unlock the door, and snatch the keys.

The incident occurred sometime between 4.45pm on Sunday, January 16 and 7.15am the following morning at a house in Rotherwick Road.

Hampshire police have said that the thieves appear to have entered via the uPVC door and used an implement, inserted through the letterbox, to release the door handle from the inside.

A set of car keys for a grey Audi A4 parked outside, a mobile phone and a wallet were stolen. The keys were then used to steal the car from the driveway.

Pc Will Butcher of Hampshire Constabulary said: “Thankfully, incidents like this are rare; however they occur where victims have uPVC double glazed doors which have a set of bolts designed to secure the door at multiple points against the door frame.

“Typically the door handle is lifted to engage the bolts before the door is secured with a key. Normally the door cannot be opened using the handle from the outside, even if the key is not used to secure the door, leaving the victim with a false sense of security.

“Criminals exploit this by using an improvised tool, usually a bent piece of metal pole, which is inserted through the letter flap and positioned to push the internal door handle down thus opening the door. To prevent this from occurring people with these type of door are advised to always lock the door with the key at night or when leaving the house for any period of time.

“I would appeal to anyone who was up and about at that time of day and may have seen any people or vehicles acting suspiciously in the area to get in touch."

Anyone with any information should contact Pc Butcher at Basingstoke police station on 101, via the website at www.hampshire.police.uk/internet/contact/message_officer.htm or call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Following the above burglary, Hampshire Constabulary offers the following advice:

- Deadlock your doors with the key – don't just lift up the handle.

- Make use of all door and window locks fitted in your home.

- Consider getting a letter box deflector.

- Keep house keys upstairs or store them near the door out of sight for easy access in an emergency.

- Keep your car keys away from the front door and store them somewhere safe.

- Keep valuable items out of view – if you have electrical equipment worth hundreds of pounds, don't keep it by the window where passers-by can see it.

- Never leave a key under a doormat or on a string through the letterbox – it's the first place any burglar will look.

- Make sure tools and ladders are kept in a secure place – burglars will happily use your own garden equipment to break into your home.

- Make sure alarm boxes and Neighbourhood Watch stickers and beware of the dog signs can clearly be seen

- Hide financial documents and keys – if someone does break in you don't want them to also steal from your bank account or take your car.

- Secure all your doors and windows every time you leave the house

- If you are in the garden or upstairs, make sure your downstairs doors are locked